[3] Police are reminding the public of the dangers of skating on frozen rivers and ponds at this time of year.

There have been a number of reports of children playing on the Union Canal in the Calder and Wester Hailes areas of Edinburgh.

This is a major safety concern as the ice is starting to thin, increasing the risk of accidents.

A police spokeswoman said: 'While it may be tempting at this time of year, playing on the ice can be extremely dangerous. The ice is now starting to thin, meaning people risk plunging into the icy cold water below, causing themselves serious injury.'

Local Police News [4]